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We recommend this article to those planning a 3-night, 5-day trip in Kota Kinabalu, especially those interested in the Floating Sunset Tour, Firefly Tour, and massage experience on the third day. We share a fulfilling itinerary that includes a relaxing morning at the Grandis Hotel, shopping, and exploring local eateries, which will help you prepare for your Kota Kinabalu trip.
Overall Review
The itinerary for the 3-night, 5-day trip to Kota Kinabalu on the third day is richly composed, offering leisurely time at the hotel, shopping, dining at local restaurants, and a beautiful sunset and firefly tour. The Sea Spa massage was particularly satisfying, and the Floating Sunset Tour provided an opportunity to fully appreciate the beauty of the sunset. However, it’s worth noting that the firefly tour might be a bit disappointing compared to expectations.
Travel tips
- The Sea Spa massage appears to be operated by a Korean owner, and the full-body aroma massage was satisfyingly firm and pleasantly painful. The foot massage on the last day is also recommended.
- Don’t miss the 1+1 burger promotion at KFC; it’s a great deal, though the drinks might be a bit bland.
- The Grandis Hotel rooftop pool is open from 8 AM to 8 PM, and towels can be rented at the 1st-floor cafe.
Related Areas/Places
- Floating Sunset Tour
- Grandis Hotel
- Suria Sabah Shopping Mall
- Sea Spa Massage
- Beringgis Riverside Seafood Restaurant
- Kawag Firefly Tour
Read More from the Original Article
Day 3 of the Kota Kinabalu 3-night, 5-day trip begins with a relaxing morning at the Grandis Hotel. We started the day with a morning swim at the rooftop pool. It was mentioned that future ocean views might be obstructed due to ongoing construction around the hotel. Although we enjoyed the pool in peace due to the early hour, the sun was intense, making the floor hot, so wearing shoes is recommended.
For lunch, we ate at KFC inside Suria Sabah. We happened to find a 1+1 burger promotion, allowing us to have a meal at a low cost. We also impulsively bought a cute bag at Vinci, a general store within the shopping center. Afterward, we headed to our pre-booked Sea Spa massage, which we found more satisfying than previous massage experiences. We were able to use the facilities comfortably, thanks in part to the Korean owner, and highly recommend the foot massage as well.
In the evening, we started the sunset and firefly tour at the Beringgis Riverside Seafood Restaurant. From here, we took a boat from a small pier. While waiting for the tour, we enjoyed ice cream and spent time with the many cats at the restaurant. Upon arriving at the Floating Sunset Tour location, we noticed some trash on the beach and felt a bit disappointed by the low tide, but the beautiful sunset was breathtaking. The pink sky with the moon was also impressive, though we lamented the performance of our mini-quality camera.
After the sunset tour, we returned to the restaurant for dinner, a Korean-style buffet, where the kimchi was particularly delicious. Before the firefly tour, we played with a cheese-loving cat. We couldn’t take photos of the Kawag Firefly Tour because we had to refrain from using our phones due to the many lights affecting the fireflies’ visibility. While the number of fireflies was fewer than expected, which was a bit disappointing, the sight of the trees resembling Christmas trees and twinkling was beautiful. The guide explained that it was a day with fewer fireflies. We also briefly saw crocodiles from the riverbank. Back at the hotel, we enjoyed beer as a late-night snack and learned that the arrows on the hotel room ceiling indicate the direction of prayer for Muslims. For more photos and detailed travel information, please refer to the original article.
